FBC – Chapter 25 Today, I Haven’t Had Any Wine

Gu Hua took a step back, clutching the cloak tightly around herself.

In a hoarse voice, she said, “Earlier, I didn’t dare admit I took Your Lordship’s sleeping robe because my dress… was torn. I had no choice but to wrap myself in your robe to leave. On the way, a branch accidentally tore the sleeve, so… so I embroidered a flower to mend it.”

Mu Junyan stared silently at the sleeping robe.

Gu Hua quickly added, “If Your Lordship is unhappy, I can compensate you with a new one.”

“Compensate?”

Mu Junyan lazily raised his eyes, his expression clearly saying, What could you possibly use to compensate me?

Gu Hua’s voice shrank to a whisper: “I can’t afford to now… I don’t have any silver. I… I can…”

Her voice grew softer and softer, her face redder and redder, so aggrieved that tears were about to fall.

Mu Junyan: “…”

Had he done something?

Why did it feel like he was the one bullying her?

Frustration surged within him. He abruptly stood and headed toward the door. “The embroidery is decent. No need to compensate me.”

Gu Hua cursed herself for being a coward. What was I crying for?

Wiping her tears, she hurried to catch up. “My needlework is quite good. I can make clothes for Your Lordship. What kind of flowers do you like… Ah!”

She crashed right into a firm chest.

Why did he suddenly turn around!

Gu Hua stepped back, rubbing her forehead in slight irritation, and looked up at him.

Unexpectedly, Mu Junyan opened the door and turned sideways to look outside. “It’s late at night. A man and a woman alone in a room — it would harm your reputation. You should go back.”

Gu Hua froze for a moment, her nose tingling with emotion.

Not only was he a man of honor, but also a true gentleman.

She shouldn’t have tried to scheme against him.

Mu Junyan waited for a while without seeing her move. When he turned back, he saw her eyes brimming with tears, timid and pitiful.

Finally unable to bear it, he said softly, “It’s alright. Everything will be fine.”

His rare gentleness caused all of Gu Hua’s suppressed grievances to well up into silent tears.

Unable to push her any further, Mu Junyan reached out and gently rubbed her head. “If you need anything, just say it. As for everything else… just follow your heart.”

His words, spoken in that tone, made Gu Hua feel even more guilty and conflicted.

What should I do?

…Concubine Pei’s scheming, Gu Wanru and her husband’s selfish cruelty — after her death, the couple had acted all noble and shared in the glory of the Duke’s household.

Why should they get everything?!

She was just struggling to survive!

Suddenly, Gu Hua flung off the cloak and threw herself into Mu Junyan’s arms, hugging his waist tightly without saying a word, her tears falling even more fiercely.

Though their bodies were separated only by thin clothing, one cold, one warm — they quickly transmitted each other’s temperature.

Mu Junyan stiffened. His chest was quickly soaked with her tears. He sighed and slowly closed the door.

He lifted Gu Hua’s chin, forcing her to look up at him. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, like a pitiful little kitten — stirring a trace of pity in him.

Knowing she was in deep sorrow, Mu Junyan naturally had no other thoughts.

He took her hand and led her to the divan.

Gu Hua’s tears immediately retreated in shock.

The memory of what had happened on that divan — the passion and intensity — was still vivid.

Is he getting straight to the point now?

Shyness surged through her. She quickly turned her head toward the bookshelf.

The portrait of the former madam was gone.

She secretly let out a breath of relief.

Mu Junyan let go of her hand and pointed to the teapot on the tea table. “Have some calming tea to settle your nerves. I have something to discuss with you.”

Gu Hua obediently poured a cup of tea and offered it to him with both hands, looking well-behaved. “My lord, please have some tea.”

Mu Junyan: “…”

Such a fake display of obedience — no sincerity at all.

He waved her off and sat down on the divan himself.

The distance between them eased the pressure and tension a little. Gu Hua glanced at him, then downed the tea in one gulp. Her emotions quickly calmed.

This step, she had to take.

If he was willing to help her, she would do everything she could to serve him well over these next ten or so days.

And that would be all.

When he traveled north again, they would not see each other anymore.

Seeing that her emotions seemed to have stabilized, Mu Junyan lazily asked, “Do you really want to follow me?”

Gu Hua stood against the candlelight. Her eyes, washed with tears, were astonishingly bright—like flames dancing in their depths.

The young girl undid her cloak’s knot. The purple cloak slipped off her shoulders. She took a step forward, brushing against his knee, and nodded without hesitation.

A sheet of snowy white appeared before him.

Only then did Mu Junyan realize—under the cloak, Gu Hua wore only a thin inner garment and sleep pants. Under the candlelight, the sheer white silk clearly revealed the outline of her bare skin…

His blood boiled in an instant. Though his expression didn’t change, his indifferent gaze slowly swept over her—from her jade-like neck, exposed fragrant shoulders, to her delicate curves and slender waist.

Getting bolder, are we?

Being scrutinized like this, Gu Hua immediately felt embarrassed. She was just about to use her hands to cover herself when he grabbed her wrist and pulled her hands away.

His voice lowered, becoming hoarse and rough: “You want to follow me because you want my protection?”

Gu Hua didn’t dare meet his eyes and nodded obediently.

In front of a shrewd and capable man like him, it was useless to lie or cover things up.

The spark that had just ignited in Mu Junyan dimmed.

So, in the end, seducing him was just a means to gain protection.

He released her hand, his tone becoming indifferent. “I don’t take concubines. I won’t marry. And I won’t shelter a woman for no reason. Besides, you’re my son’s sister-in-law.”

Those three words—“sister-in-law”—stabbed at Gu Hua like needles.

She felt utterly humiliated.

Gu Hua fell silent for a moment.

Then she slowly knelt beside his feet. Her soft, boneless jade hands rested gently on his knees, her bright eyes filled with yearning and reverence.

“This girl only asks to stay by your side. Even as a servant or maid is fine.”

Even the way she addressed herself had changed.

The young girl, with her jet-black hair and crimson lips, had eyes as pure as spring water—yet her very presence stirred uncontrollable desire. She made it impossible to turn away.

A woman like this—how could any man resist?

Mu Junyan’s voice grew even lower and raspier: “You want to be a tongfang?”

Gu Hua slowly nodded. “Yes.”

“What if not even a tongfang is allowed?” Mu Junyan’s gaze darkened.

To follow him without name or status—she’d be nothing more than a plaything.

Gu Hua stiffened, and tears welled up uncontrollably again. She sniffled hard, trying desperately not to let them fall.

That pitiful but bravely strong look of hers was truly heart-wrenching.

Mu Junyan, as if possessed, reached out to wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes and softened his voice. “Because of your relationship with Gu Wanru, if you stay by my side, you can only be the Second Miss of the Gu family. Do you understand?”

If he took her in, how could she face Gu Wanru in the future?

A girl who engaged in premarital relations would never be able to hold her head up again.

Even if he protected her, could she bear the harsh gaze and venomous gossip of the world?

Mu Junyan couldn’t bear to see her suffer.

Of course, Gu Hua understood.

If Mu Junyan were to openly take in his daughter-in-law’s younger half-sister, public opinion would drown them both, and his own reputation would be severely damaged.

As the top duke of the Great Liang, Mu Junyan naturally cherished his public image.

Titles meant nothing to her.

What she wanted was to survive.

Being Mu An’s tongfang meant a life of endless humiliation, constantly trampled upon.

Being Mu Junyan’s woman—at least the people of Wenhan Pavilion, Zhou Zhilan, and Steward Zhou would treat her genuinely well.

At the very least, Mu An and her elder sister would hesitate.

She had no bargaining chips—only her body.

Gu Hua nodded, her voice soft and gentle: “I understand. I don’t want a title, I only ask for your compassion.”

The obedient way she spoke made her all the more pitiable.

Mu Junyan frowned slightly.

Does she really understand that he’s doing this for her own good?

“Go back,” he said. “Think it through and then—”

“Tonight, I haven’t had any wine.”

Gu Hua boldly placed her delicate hand atop his broad one. Her husky voice carried a hint of seduction.

Mu Junyan’s gaze deepened.

The primal urge of a man surged up again—damn it.

He had seen countless women in his life, and had never lost control like this. Why was it that only with her—he could never restrain himself?

Was it because she had unlocked the floodgate of his long-suppressed desires?

Had his restraint finally reached its breaking point?

She didn’t seem like a scheming woman. From that night of wild passion, to now—she resembled a pure, innocent rabbit. To be able to discard her chastity and dignity so completely—she must have had no other way.

Her identity had been switched. At seventeen, a girl who should have lived like a pampered noble was starved, frozen, and tortured—without even knowing why.

Mother and daughter passed by each other daily without even recognizing one another. The mere thought made even a man like him ache inside.

How had such a delicate girl survived such an environment?

And yet, she studied hard, had beautiful handwriting, and mastered excellent needlework.

Usually, she even collaborated with a small bookstore in Bianjing—copying books that poor scholars loved but couldn’t afford, and making embroidery for some silver.

She secretly gathered herbs to treat her own injuries.

A girl who had suffered so much and still fought to survive—was now offering up her body just to avoid becoming Mu An’s tongfang, to seduce him?

Something didn’t add up.

What she wanted was likely more than this. If her ambition was too big, he would never agree.

Mu Junyan asked, “You only want my protection? Nothing more?”

Gu Hua nodded.

He didn’t believe her. The little girl hadn’t told the truth.